Elkhorn Middle School Newsletter
February 2024
Message from the Principal
In February we focus on kindness at EMS. Students will have conversations and activities during homeroom throughout the month that focus on ways to make our community stronger by treating one another kindly.
At EMS our expectation is that students are safe, respectful, responsible, trustworthy and proud. Please help us extend these messages to the students by talking to your student(s) at home about ways they can impact this community by treating others with kindness.
We look forward to seeing you at conferences this month on the13th and 14th! Please be sure to check out the conference segment in this newsletter for times and sign ups. Thanks in advance to our PTO/Booster group for their support of our teachers with a meal during parent teacher conferences! We so appreciate our PTO/Parent Boosters!
New Course Offering in EPS Middle Schools
EPS will be piloting a new course offering for middle school students during the 24-25 school year.
JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) will be offered to select 7th and 8th graders with the goal to empower students with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment and life. Curriculum will include the development of skills in communication, organization, goal-setting, leadership, etc. and will help students develop an educational and career plan. More information will be offered to students and parents prior to registration. Additional information can be found by clicking on the logo below.
Important Registration Information from Elkhorn High School Counselors
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Elkhorn High school counselors will visit Elkhorn Middle School on Wednesday morning, February 21st to distribute 9th grade registration materials. Students will receive a copy of their registration sheet outlining courses offered to prospective ninth graders and specific course recommendations. Recommendations are based upon advice from high school administration, counselors, grades, and test scores.
Parents will be emailed a copy of the curriculum guide and information about optional summer school classes at this time. Parents are encouraged to discuss the 9th grade course recommendations and elective courses with their students to help them select any elective options before February 28th.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
8th Grade Registration/Parent Night, 6:00 pm EHS Auditorium
Please bring the registration sheet your student receives on February 21 to this meeting.
Parents and 8th graders are invited to Elkhorn High School on February 28 at 6:00 pm. Counselors will present a 9th grade orientation and curriculum PowerPoint in the high school auditorium. After the presentation, parents will be asked to complete course selections and sign the registration form to verify course selections. Registration forms will be collected at the end of the evening. Summer school contracts are due on Wednesday, March 6th. However, you are welcome to turn them in on February 28th.
Interested in Elkhorn music offerings? Please join us for a “Taste of Music” prior to the 8th grade night. Instrumental and/or vocal music will be performing from 5:30 - 6:00.
Desiree Merrihew (last names A – G) dmerrihew@epsne.org
Theresa Crnkovich (last names H-O) tcrnkovich@epsne.org
Megan Scobie (last names P-Z) mscobie@epsne.org
Booster Club News
We are looking for volunteers to work concessions for winter & spring sports. Please sign up with this link. If you have any questions or are unsure about volunteering please let us know. There are detailed instructions in the concession area and you can also be paired with an experienced volunteer.
The library is still looking for gift card donations to support an end of the year pizza party and raffle. Please consider donating a gift card. You can sign up for the type of gift card you want to donate on this link. Then just drop off your donation in the office. Please identify that it is for Ms. Wagner in the library. Thank you!
Please check your email for information about providing food for Parent-Teacher conferences. We provide a meal for one of the nights of conferences and will send information about how to help via email. If you are not on our mailing list please reach out to us at emsboosterclubelkhorn@gmail.com and request to be added.
There are also a couple of ways to raise money for the school just by submitting receipts. You can submit your box tops through their app. Box Tops for Education. Just select Elkhorn Middle School and start uploading your receipts. They will find the items that qualify for box top rebates. All you need to do is add your receipt. It's fairly quick and easy. You can also TAGG receipts from participating businesses. Please check out this link for more information about TAGG. If everyone just added one receipt we would be off to a great start.
Our next Booster/PTO meeting is on February 19th at 7:00 pm in the EMS library. We hope to see you there.
Thank you,
Jessica Hacker - Booster Club President
8th Grade Celebration Planning
A team of parents is working on planning the 8th grade celebration set for mid-May. This celebration is an optional, parent planned event for our 8th grade students; a fun way to celebrate their time at EMS as they look ahead to high school. Details to follow in next month's newsletter.
Please contact Shelly Rodgers, 8th grade parent, if you would like to join the planning team. Shelly's email is shellyrodgers123@gmail.com.
January Library Corner
Blind Date with a Book: In the month of February students can come to the library to have a "blind date" with a book! Students pick a wrapped book from the display, read, and write a review. Every review is entrance into a raffle for treats and gift card raffle! See Mrs. Wagner for more info.
Technology Tips:
Not turning on? Plug in, then hit REFRESH then POWER and release Wait 10-30 seconds. Video link.
Not printing? Restart and be sure to sign into mobility print when/if it pops up. Otherwise, change printer destination to FollowMeBW.
Click below to check dates, times and locations of the upcoming EMS games.
Band News
8th Grade Band Concert with EHS Band
The 8th Grade band will combine with the EHS Band for a concert on Thursday, February 8th, 7:30 p.m. in the Elkhorn High School Auditorium. Note that the start time has been pushed back to allow for girls basketball players to have time to be ready for the concert. Students should arrive by 7:00 p.m. at Elkhorn High School. Dress is the same as other concerts; music polo, black pants, black socks, and black shoes. The students will also be traveling via school bus to EHS at the beginning of the school day to do a rehearsal with the high school band.
Jazz Band & Show Choir Elementary Tour
On Tuesday, February 20th the jazz band and show choir will perform at Arbor View, Hillrise, and Westridge elementary schools. Dress for the tour is the music polo and jeans.
This is a schedule for the day:
8:00 a.m. Meet at EMS to Load Buses
8:10 a.m. Load Buses to travel to Arbor View
8:20 a.m. Arrive at Arbor View, Unload and Set up
8:45 a.m. Performance at Arbor View
9:15 a.m. Performance Ends, Load Buses
9:30 a.m. Depart for Hillrise
9:40 a.m. Arrive at Hillrise, Unload and Set up
10:00 a.m. Performance at Hillrise
10:30 a.m. Performance Ends, Load Buses
10:45 a.m. Travel to Lunch Destination (Javi’s Tacos)
12:30 p.m. Depart Lunch Destinations for Westridge
12:40 p.m. Arrive at Westridge, Unload and Set up
1:00 p.m. Performance at Westridge
1:30 p.m. Performance Ends, Carry everything back to EMS
Students return to class for remainder of the school day
***Information about lunch will be communicated soon.
Upcoming 7th Grade Concert
The next 7th grade concert will be Thursday, February 29th at 6:30 p.m. in the EMS gym. This concert will be with the 7th grade choir and our jazz band. Plan to arrive by 6:00 p.m. Dress is the same as the last concert; music polo, black pants, black socks, and black shoes.
Upcoming 6th Grade Concert
The next 6th grade concert will be Thursday, March 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the EMS gym. This concert will be with the 6th grade choir and our jazz band. Plan to arrive by 6:00 p.m. Dress is the same as the last concert; music polo, black pants, black socks, and black shoes.
Upcoming Concerts/Performances
February 8th 8th Grade Band Concert with EHS Band TIME CHANGE 7:30pm EHS
February 20th Jazz Band & Show Choir Elementary Tour During School
February 29th 7th Grade Band/Choir/Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
March 5th 6th Grade Band/Choir/Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
March 13th 7th & 8th Grade Band Festival During School ENHS
April 3rd Jazz Band Festival TBA EGMS
April 27th Northside Night of Jazz 5:30-9:00pm ENHS
May 14th 6-8th Grade Band & Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
News from Vocal Music
Come and support our singers as they perform in concert and compete this season!
Upcoming chorus events:
8th Grade Chorus Concert with the EHS Chorus at EHS - February 26th @ 7:00 pm
7th Grade Chorus and Band Concert at EMS - February 29th @ 6:30 pm
6th Grade Chorus and Band Concert at EMS - March 5th @ 6:30 pm
Upcoming show choir events:
Red Carpet Classic at EHS - February 3rd @ 8:00 am
Crystal Cup at ESHS - February 9th @ 8:30 pm
Clash of the Titans at Lewis Central HS - March 1st @ 6:00 pm
Galaxy of Stars at Millard North HS - March 8th @ 6:20 pm
Mr. Jaques
From the Lunch Room
A note from the Nurse
If you received a health screen referral letter within the last few months please visit the appropriate medical professional and have them complete the bottom portion of the letter and return it to school with your child if you have not already done so.
It’s not too early to start scheduling your school and sports physicals!
- Students entering the 7th grade in the fall will need to submit a physical exam dated after February 13, 2024 and an updated immunization record including a Tdap booster.
- Students wanting to participate in a sport at the middle school or high school must have a sports physical completed sometime after May 1, 2023 and uploaded to rschool.
**Health records must be submitted to school prior to the first student day on August 13, 2024.
February is dental health and heart health month! Encourage your children to brush their teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and have a check up with a dentist every 6 months. Encourage eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of regular sleep and exercise to promote a healthy heart.
Thank you!
Andrea Daniels, RN, BSN
EPS Career Exploration Fair
The inaugural EPS Career Exploration Fair, open to all EPS middle school and high school students, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Elkhorn South High School. Join EPS as we partner with over 100 local organizations to give students additional opportunities to explore career pathways and openings across a wide variety of fields including agriculture and natural resources, communication and information technology systems, skilled and technical sciences, health sciences, human services and education, and business management. To view a full list of business partners, please click here.
2024-25 Kindergarten and New Student Registration
If you have a child who will attend kindergarten during the 2024-2025 school year (students must be at least 5 years of age by July 31, 2024, to attend Kindergarten), please register them beginning the week of January 22, 2024, on the District Website (www.elkhornweb.org). When you register your child on the District website, we will use the email address in that registration to communicate Kindergarten Round-up information and details with you.
Additionally, any K-12th grade student not currently enrolled in an EPS school, with a planned start date prior to May 23, 2025, should visit https://www.elkhornweb.org/parents/new-students/ to register for the 2024-25 year school.
Technology and Social Media Resources
For Parents/Guardians:
NetSmartz - Discussion starters, tip sheets, videos
Common Sense Media - Media reviews and maturity guidelines by age
Smart Social - Resources (360+ Teen Slang, Emojis, 130+ Popular Teen App List)
Thorn for Parents – Conversation Starters, Discussion Guides, Information
ScreenSanity - Resources and guidebooks for raising children in an increasingly digital world
Youth:
No Filtr – Also on TikTok
Your Life Your Voice – Connect youth with trained Boys Town counselors
Report:
CyberTipline – Make a full report to the CyberTipline
Take It Down – Upload an image’s hash number to have it removed from partnering platforms
School to Home Communication Reminder
Inclement weather announcements are communicated via phone call, email, and text message. If you did not receive a text message, please text “Yes” to 67587. This step is required to opt-in and receive text messages from EPS. If you did not receive a phone call or email, please contact your building.
News form EPS Foundation
Did you know?
You can access Elkhorn Middle School daily bulletin board. Just head to our website and click on the red pin to see all the fun things happening at EMS daily.
Attendance Policy
Students that arrive to school after 8:10am bell will be counted as tardy. All students must be excused verbally by a parent or guardian.
**Please remember to email the office at ems@epsne.org or call the office at 402-289-2428 when reporting a student tardy or absent (not the teachers).
Students that are absent for professional appointments must either provide documentation from the appointment or call the school office to inform the school why the student will be (or is) tardy in order to have the tardy excused.
Excessive tardies may result in disciplinary action and contact from the administration.
Look for your student to charge their Chromebooks overnight every night. Please help establish a routine location for your student’s Chromebook and charger.
Keep an eye out for your student’s gym clothes! Students should bring them home regularly to be washed and then returned to school for gym class.
Students are expected to turn off their phones and keep phones in their lockers during the school day. If you need to contact your student during the day, the office is happy to help! We can easily get a message to your student. Students are welcome to use the phone in the office if they need to contact a family member.
As the weather cools, students should be prepared to wait outside if they arrive before 8:00. Jackets and coats are encouraged and will be stored in student lockers during the day. Hats must be stored in lockers and hoods must remain down during the school day.
- There is an admission fee at all athletic events at EMS and all of our opponent sites. All sites are cash only. Admission for middle school events held at EPS sites are: Adults $3, Students $2. EPS Athletic Passes are accepted at EPS sites only.
Drop off/Pick Up & Parking
We have several community members who regularly utilize the handicapped parking spaces in the North loop as well as the main, South parking lot. Please leave handicap spaces open for those community members with handicap placards.
Safe2Help
Contact Information Updates
Send changes to contact information to ems@epsne.org
2023-2024 Academic Calendar
The approved 2022-2023 academic calendar can be viewed here.
3200 North 207th Plaza, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Phone:402-289-2428
Fax: 402-289-1639